Golf Guide
The Algarve climate is perfect for golf, and there are many Golf Courses to choose from. Most courses offer special deals throughout the year. Below are brief descriptions of just some of the Algarve courses, along with contact numbers for your convenience.
Alto Golf & Country Club
18 Holes; Par 72;
Tel: 282 401 045
This course, designed by Sir Henry Cotton, has breathtaking views both over the ocean and towards the mountains of Monchique. The sixteenth hole, measuring 604 m from the tiger tee is one of the longest par-5s in Europe. On the whole, however, the course is not so terribly difficult and is suitable for golfers of all standards. Apart from the notorious par 4 tenth, the most talked about hole is definitely the aforementioned sixteenth. The clubhouse affords an excellent ‘gallery’ view of the eighteenth. Facilities include chipping and putting greens, club hire, trolleys and buggies.
Boa Vista Golf
18 Holes; Par 72;
Tel: 282 782 151
This 6,053 long course, set on hilly uplands just to the west of Lagos affords excellent views of the Algarvian coastline, to the south, and of the Monchique mountain range, to the north. Surrounded by natural woodland, rich in a variety of flora and fauna, the memorable par-3 sixth, set over a plunging fissure, is probably the most notorious on a thoroughly satisfying and scenically outstanding course. Facilities include; driving range, putting and chipping greens, golf academy, club hire, buggies and trolleys.
Morgado do Reguengo
18 Holes; Par 73;
Tel: 282 402 150
Opened in February of 2003, this luxurious new course is situated about 15 Km north of Portimão. Expansive fairways and spacious greens include 104 bunkers and several water hazards in the form of small lakes and dams. One of the Algarve’s largest courses (2,035m long) and designed in conjunction with PGA, golf director Jorge Papa expects the course to soon be hosting major championship events. Facilities include driving range, putting and chipping green, buggies and trolleys.
Palmares
18 Holes; Par 71;
Tel: 282 790 500
Host to the annual Almond Blossom tournament every February, this course, designed by Frank Pennink, affords splendid views over the Lagos Bay and the Alvor estuary. The course is spread over a mixture of terrain. A difficult long par-5 fifth runs parallel with the dunes and is exposed to the prevailing winds. The rest of the course extends amongst the almond, fig, pine and palm trees. The course has an overall length of 5,961 m and facilities include; driving range, putting and chipping greens, pro-shop, trolleys and buggies.
Parque da Floresta
18 Holes; Par 72;
Tel: 282 690 054
Within easy reach of Lagos, Vila do Bispo and Sagres, this exceptional, 5,673m long course offers a true challenge. Set on a series of small hills that flow smoothly into one another, among a range of tricky holes, probably the par-3 15th which overlooks a small valley containing a lake is the most talked about. Facilities include a driving range, a golf academy, putting greens, pro-shop, club and shoe hire, trolleys and buggies.
Penina Academy Course
9 Holes; Par 30;
Tel: 282 420 200
Small greens require accuracy on the tee and on the approach. The course comprises six par 3s and three par 4s. Facilities include, of course, the golf academy.
Penina Championship Course
18 Holes; Par 73;
Tel: 282 420 200
Since its opening in 1966, this course designed by Sir Henry Cotton, has played host to the Portuguese Open some 8 times. The course lies on fairly level parkland with tree lined fairways and various difficult water hazards. Candidates for signature hole are the tricky 197m, par-3 thirteenth and the dog-leg par-5 fifth played over a canal and a lake. The course includes several long par-3s and par-5s, which always makes for an interesting and challenging game. Facilities include; driving range; putting and chipping green, club hire, trolleys and buggies.
Penina Resort Course
9 Holes; Par 35;
Tel: 282 420 200
Designed by Sir Henry Cotton, this course is superb for developing and improving the short game. The course, above all, requires accuracy. The first 3 holes are all dog-leg, tree lined, par-4s; the 499 m fifth is the only par-5; the par-4 6th has an out of bounds area on the right whilst the seventh is played with a lake to the right and the eighth is well defended by bunkers. All in all a thoroughly enjoyable and satisfying course, whatever your ability. Facilities include golf academy, trolleys and buggies.
Pestana Gramacho Course
18 Holes, Par 71;
Tel: 282 340 900
Until September of 2002, this course was a rather uncommon double-nine designed by Ronald Fream. However, the course was re-designed by Nick Price and Rick Elliott and now possesses its full quota of 18 holes. The signature hole is widely considered to be the par 3 tenth which has a green surrounded by trees and bunkers and adjacent to a lake. Facilities include putting and chipping greens, David Leadbetter golf academy, trolleys and buggies.
Pestana Pinta Course
18 Holes; Par 71;
Tel: 282 340 900
With splendid views of the Monchique mountains, the Pinta course is, near Carvoeiro, is considered by some to be one of the most beautiful in the Algarve. Designed, by Ronald Fream, to follow the natural contours of the land, the course is apt to be played by golfers of all standards. The par-3 fifth, with the green below the tee, is probably the most notorious hole on the course and vies for the title of signature hole, with the much talked about par-3 seventh, played over a valley dotted with bunkers. Facilities include, putting and chipping green, David Leadbetter golf academy.
Pine Cliffs Golf
9 Holes; Par 33;
Tel: 289 500 100
The Pine Cliffs Golf Course is one of Portugal’s most original golf courses, built in an extension of 168 acres of pine wood at the edge of spectacular cliffs, overlooking the beautiful beaches of the Algarve and the Atlantic Ocean beyond. The Pine Cliffs Golf Course kept the original natural surroundings and is located near Albufeira, inserted in the Sheraton Algarve Hotel Resort, in Portugal.
The 9-hole Pine Cliffs Golf Course is not very long, only two holes run to more than 360 metres, yet despite this it presents an interesting challenge for the golfer, regardless of handicap.
Quinta do Lago North Golf
18 Holes; Par 72;
Tel: 289 390 700
The North Course is the newest addition to Quinta do Lago’s five-star golf facilities, the totally revamped course has been one of the most talked about golf projects in 2014 and is set to be one of the new stars of European golf and the new number one course at Quinta do Lago. Redesigned by renowned American architect Beau Welling in close collaboration with European Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley, the new layout has been built to the highest specifications with a €9.6m investment. The North Course has been redeveloped with the emphasis firmly on precision and strategy.
Salgados
18 Holes; Par: 72;
Tel: 289 591111
With the largest number of water hazards on any Algarvian golf course, this coastal layout offers challenge and excitement along with panoramic views. Prevailing winds blowing over the lowland areas of the course cause club selection to vary widely and demand a high degree of accuracy. The par-3 12th requires players to cross a lake by means of a long wooden bridge.
Vale do Lobo Ocean & Royal
Ocean: 18 Holes, Par 72;
Royal: 18 Holes, Par 73;
Tel: 282 358 502
Vale do Lobo Algarve is home to two challenging and outstanding golf courses – the Royal and the Ocean. Based on original concepts by the legendary Sir Henry Cotton and re-developed by the respected American golf architect Rocky Roquemore, the Vale do Lobo courses have twice been host to the Portuguese Open.
Both take players through umbrella pine and fig tree-lined fairways to the Atlantic – the Royal playing dramatically along the cliff’s edge, while the Ocean sweeps daintily down to the beach. This combination of links and parkland golf provides an enjoyable game for golfers of all standards.
Vale do Milho
9 Holes, Par 27;
Tel: 282 358 502
Located in the pleasant coastal resort of Carvoeiro, this par-3, 9-hole course (unique in the Algarve) offers an excellent variety of holes designed to test players' short game skills. Holes range from 60 metres to 164 metres and the course comprises regular sized greens with bunkers and water hazards as would be expected on a full size course. The layout is within a park area of a residential complex offering excellent amenities to residents and visitors. Extras include indoor video and computer swing analysis.
Vilamoura Dom Pedro Golf
18 Holes, Par 72;
Tel: 289 310 188
Dom Pedro Golf is a major player in Portugal´s distinguished golf tourism market, owning and operating one of Europe´s best golf course portfolios.
Dom Pedro Golf offers five championship courses in the Algarve, Vilamoura´s renowned five – Victoria Golf Course (host of the World Cup in 2005 and Portugal Masters since 2007), The Old Course Golf Club, Millennium Golf Course, Pinhal Golf Course and Laguna Golf Course.